September 2016 • Volume 1, Number 8
Flamenco dancer
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Every Issue Complimentary Every Time
Danish Days
Pg 16
Opossum rescue
Pg 23
FOLLOWING IN HER GRANDMOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Some dreams do come true Natalya Nielsen fulfills lifelong goal by becoming the 2016 Danish Maid
Pg 33
‘Sled hockey’ is coming to ‘Paradise’ by Raiza Giorgi
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charge of the breakfasts for many years until Natalya’s grandfather, Roger Nielsen, took the helm. Natalya’s father, Rodney Nielsen, is
anta Ynez Valley resident Michelle Kristoffersen knows nothing about hockey or how to play it. However, she was eager to try it when her friend and neighbor Tonya Crandall, of Ice in Paradise in Goleta, asked her to try out a new handicapped sled they were introducing. “I got into a horrible car accident when I was 17 that left me paralyzed from the T12, L1 vertebrae, which is basically below my bellybutton,” Kristoffersen said. Up until the accident in her hometown of Jeromesville, Ohio, she was very active in playing sports and running. Kristoffersen said the accident left her depressed and feeling sorry for herself. “I think most people that become paralyzed go through the same sort of emotions I did, and I just had to get past it and realize I was still alive and able to do so much,” she said. As part of her physical therapy she found that she could still ski on a modified ski and she started playing tennis. “That’s what actually brought me to the Santa Ynez Valley, was playing tennis, and I have been here for 20 years now,” she said. Kristoffersen also owns True Addiction, the women’s clothing store in Solvang on Mission Drive next to the Book Loft. She and her husband have two children and lead a very active life. At the new Ice in Paradise rink, “I actually wanted to start this program because Michelle was my inspiration. She never lets anything slow her down, and I thought this would be a great opportunity for others that are disabled but want something fun and active to do,” Crandall said. Crandall researched and applied for a quality of life grant from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and was awarded one of
o MAID CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
o HOCKEY CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
by Raiza Giorgi
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olvang native Natalya Nielsen fulfilled a lifelong goal when she was named this year’s Danish Maid. For as long as she can remember, Natalya has been dreaming of hosting the town’s annual Danish Days festival — just as her grandmother, Ann Nielsen, did when she was the inspiration for the Danish Maid in 1961. California’s premier Danish heritage festival will mark its 80th anniversary this year from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 16-18. “Danish Days has always had a special place in my heart because I have such fond memories with my family and friends. I remember my dad telling me at a young age, watching the Danish Maid during the parade, ‘One day that could be you,’ he would tell me,” Natalya said. This year’s theme is “Think of Something Danish,” which will honor the 1911 establishment of the town by Danish-Americans — including Natalya’s great-great-grandparents, Marcus and Andrea Nielsen, who emigrated from Mors, Denmark. “My favorite event is the Candlelight Parade because it’s fun to walk around with my family and friends at night in Solvang and singing old Danish songs and eating great food,” Natalya said. Her great-grandfather, Axel Nielsen, helped to launch the festival as a celebration of the village’s 25th anniversary in 1936. The event highlights Solvang’s Danish heritage with authentic food, music, dancing, parades, live
Kids learn track
Photo by Mike Mesikep For as long as she can remember, Natalya Nielsen has been dreaming of hosting Solvang’s annual Danish Days as the Danish Maid.
entertainment and family activities. One of Danish Days’ continuing traditions is the weekend’s æbleskiver breakfasts, served right in the middle of town – a tradition that began with Axel Nielsen, who was in